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Hymn History: Ivory Palaces & Author: Henry Barraclough “Twenty-four year old Henry Barraclough’s path to a hymn he was writing was circuitous … He might never have imagined the words to ‘Ivory Palaces,’ except that he had agreed to be the piano player for a touring preacher.” (David Cain) The Origin of the Hymn “Ivory Palaces” Few gospel hymns Read more...
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Hymn History: Jesus, I Come & Author: William True Sleeper “I never wasted a moment. When I was not at work, I always took my singing-book or some other book which I was studying, and was thus learning something.” (William True Sleeper) The Origin of the Hymn “Jesus, I Come” Among the many invitation hymns that have echoed through Read more...
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Hymn History: Jesus Saves & Author: Priscilla Jane Owens “… of Scotch and Welsh descent, she spent her entire life in Baltimore. … She was a public-school teacher there for 49 years. … For 50 years Miss Owens has interested herself in Sunday-school work, and most of her hymns were written for children’s services.” (Hymnary.org) The Origin of the Read more...
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Hymn History: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee & Author: Henry Van Dyke “He was first and last a ‘fisher of men,’ … a minister of God, a minister of his country, … And no doubt what he said of the Other Wise Man he would have said of himself: that if he could live his earthly life again he would Read more...
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Hymn History: Lead Me to Calvary & Author: Jennie Evelyn Hussey “Miss Hussey, a Quaker by background, lived much of her life on the family farm … She cared for an invalid sister, and in later years suffered crippling arthritis; yet she was known for her cheerful disposition and courageous attitude.” (hymnstudiesblog) The Origin of the Hymn “Lead Me to Read more...
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Hymn History: Lead on, O King Eternal & Author: Ernest Warburton Shurtleff “Dr. Shurtleff was one of those rare souls whose spiritual quality appeared in all his acts and speech without the slightest taint of pietism. … His deep and quiet nature had the force of a rising tide.” (Hymns for Family Worship) The Origin of the Hymn “Lead Read more...
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Hymn History: Love Lifted Me & Author: James Rowe “Poetry came easy to him.” (Louise Rowe Mayhew) The Origin of the Hymn “Love Lifted Me” Few hymns capture the saving grace and redemptive power of Christ’s love as beautifully as “Love Lifted Me.” Its joyful declaration—“Love lifted me, when nothing else could help, love lifted me”—has been sung by Read more...
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Hymn History: Make Me a Channel of Blessing & Author: Harper Garcia Smyth “Harper G. Smyth … was an excellent example of someone who used his musical talent to bring spiritual refreshment to others. … His music ministry was a form of Christian hospitality!” (Institute in Basic Life Principles) The Origin of the Hymn “Make Me a Channel of Read more...
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Hymn History: Must I Go, and Empty-Handed? & Author: Charles Carroll Luther “Years ago … my parents had friends we visited quite often … On one occasion … that represents the way in which we can encourage and bless our friends with unexpected gifts, tokens of our appreciation for them. … ‘Must I go, and empty-handed, thus my dear Redeemer Read more...
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Hymn History: My Anchor Holds & Author: William Clark Martin “Martin was a prolific writer of gospel verse with numerous texts appearing in early-20th-century hymnals and song collections.” (Hymntime.com) The Origin of the Hymn “My Anchor Holds” Among the hymns that speak to the steadfastness of faith in the midst of life’s storms, few are as stirring and resolute Read more...
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Hymn History: My Country, ‘Tis of Thee & Author: Samuel Francis Smith “In the front rank of American hymn-writers Rev. Samuel Francis Smith, D.D., has long had a place.” (Gospelstudies.org.uk) The Origin of the Hymn “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” Few patriotic hymns have stirred American hearts quite like “My Country, ’Tis of Thee.” For nearly two centuries, this Read more...
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Hymn History: Near to the Heart of God & Author: Cleland Boyd McAfee “Dr. McAfee, an eminent theologian, a brilliant speaker, author of a number of books and learned papers … yet today … is best remembered for this one simple, unassuming hymn of devotion.” (Alessandra Sorace) The Origin of the Hymn “Near to the Heart of God” Few Read more...
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Hymn History: Only a Sinner & Author: James Martin Gray “Dr. Gray was a man of vision … the school grew under his able administration. He was a conservative theologian, a fine scholar and excellent Bible teacher, but his interests went far beyond mere academics.” (Robert Cottrill) The Origin of the Hymn “Only a Sinner” Among the many gospel Read more...
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Hymn History: Only Trust Him & Author: John H. Stockton “Methodist minister John H. Stockton … had the evangelistic spirit of the day: he worked with Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey in the Philadelphia meetings, writing invitation hymns for use in their revivals.” (Dr. Hawn of Discipleship Ministries) The Origin of the Hymn “Only Trust Him” Few Read more...
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Hymn History: Open My Eyes, That I May See & Author: Clara Harriet Jones Scott “Clara Harriett Fiske Jones Scott … was the first woman to publish a volume of anthems, the Royal Anthem Book, in 1882.” (Hymnary.org) The Origin of the Hymn “Open My Eyes, That I May See” Among the many hymns that express a sincere desire Read more...
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Hymn History: Revive Us Again & Author: William Paton Mackay “A Scottish physician turned Presbyterian minister, his journey from skepticism to faith captures the power of divine intervention and the timeless call for spiritual renewal.” (HymnCharts) The Origin of the Hymn “Revive Us Again” There are hymns that call forth the heart’s deepest longings for renewal, and among them, Read more...
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Hymn History: Rise Up, O Men of God! & Author: William Pierson Merrill “Unless you give yourself to some great cause you haven’t even begun to live.” (William Pierson Merrill) The Origin of the Hymn “Rise Up, O Men of God!” Among the many hymns that have inspired the Church to action and spiritual maturity, few ring with such Read more...
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Hymn History: Standing on the Promises & Author: Russell Kelso Carter “Russell Kelso Carter … was a man of many talents and contradictions – a gifted hymn writer, passionate preacher, and pioneering advocate of divine healing, whose life and teachings left a complex legacy that continues to inspire and unsettle.” (Don Chapman) The Origin of the Hymn “Standing on Read more...
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Hymn History: In the Sweet By and By & Author: Sanford Fillmore Bennett “His poetry began appearing in [Illinois] newspapers and hymn collections; later he studied medicine while owning a drugstore in Wisconsin.” (Hymntime.com) The Origin of the Hymn “In the Sweet By and By” Among the most enduring and beloved hymns of the 19th century is “In the Read more...
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Hymn History: Sweeter as the Years Go By & Author: Lelia Naylor Morris “Choosing to avoid the spotlight and content in her labours as a homemaker, Lelia N. Morris … was often composing while doing housework.” (Melody Publications) The Origin of the Hymn “Sweeter as the Years Go By” The hymn “Sweeter as the Years Go By” has long Read more...